DOCKERS’ STRIKE.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1924, Page 2

DOCKERS’ STRIKE.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION LONDON, Fell. 15. The dockers conference was again adjourned till to-morruw. Mr Ben Tillctt announced that the postponement meant that a strike oil Saturday is Leviable, unless tlio two shillings increase is granted to-night.

MEN DETERMINED. LONDON. Feh. 16

Regarding the dockers dispute, three statements wci>- issued alter the breakup of the cuiifeiviice. The employers, m theirs, emphasised their view that no grounds had been shown lor any advance in wages, but said in view ol national interests, they ollerod a shilling rise, from March 3rd, with immediate arbitration regarding the second shilling, and to appoint a conference regarding decasuatlisation, with a wholehearted endeavour to find a solution. They added that these proposals laid been rejected.

The Union’s secretary issued a statement that no further offer had been submitted than that already known. Therefore the strike notices would lie confirmed. Tlie .Ministry of Labour issued a statement to the eilect that both sides are meeting tlie Minister on Saturday at 11.30:

It is pointed out that though a strike lias been ordered to begin on Saturday at noon, it could not be effective until Monday, as there is little work at the docks on Sunday. Therefore there is time to call off the strike before it really entered a disastrous phase, if a solution should ho found at Saturday's conference with the Union.

'The leaders, however, do not expect the employers to change their attitude. Their attitude has continuously been firm. Mr Bevin (Dockers’ Leader) has all along contended two shillings a. day rise was the irreducible minimum.

Many delegates at the York conference, whereat the demand was formulated. wanted to claim more, on the grounds that the employers were sure to offer le.-s, hut the leaders said:— ■■No! Ask for two shillings, and stick to it!” This has been done.

liitter speeches were made at a meeting at Rotherhithe last night. Mr Bevin declared the employers’ combined profits fully represented thirtyeight millions sterling, it could not he money that mattered. It was the will to demonstrate a mastery that really was the issue. It was a political game that was being played still. “T tell the Government and the public and the press” he said, “that if the strike .starts, we will hold on till fbe last.”

LAST 'T TEMPT AT SETTLEMENTLONDON. Feb 3,

A final attempt to secure a settlement of tlie (lock strike was made by the Ministry of Labour, which is requesting the dockers’ delegates to remain In London, and meet again tomorrow. The delegates, who were about to return to their districts, agreed to remain, but they telegraphically confirmed the orders to cease work at noon on Saturday. Simultaneous with the announcement of the dock strike, the text of a bill has been published with the object of abolishing casual dock labour, which is one of the dockers’ principal demands during the negotiations. The bill was presented hv Mr lieu Smith. It provides for the establishment of a National Joint Council, representing the employers and workers, to coordinate a system of registration ami insurance of dockers all over tlie coun-

The dock employers have strongly contested the men’s estimates of tlioir profits. Should a strike occur, food supplies will he held up, hut there are enormous accumulated stocks.

The Ministry of Transport has pro. pared plans to distribute food throughout the country if necessary. Meantime, work at fhe docks is being pressed feverishly. DOCK STRIKE COMMENCES. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, February 17. The dock strike duly began on Saturday at noon, at all ports, when 120,000 men left their work. Vessels due to sail were abandoned with their cargoes incomplete and food ships emptying "ere deserted. The dock areas were entirely desolated on the strike of the clock. Thereafter. thousands of dockers swarmed into the union branch offices for strike cards and picketing instructions. Tile “Sunday Express” reports that sixty vessels are held up at Glasgow, lcity at Manchester, eighty at Hull, forty-six at Tees. During Saturday, the Minister of Labour held a conference with both [unties, hut issued a statement at fivethirty that the employers had been unable to exTchd the offer cabled yesterday, which the Union representatives were unable to accept.

BE YIN’S STATEMENT. LONDON. February 17. It transpires the parties assembled •n separate rooms, and Minister Shaw journeyed from one to the otlic-r. seeking a .solution. Finally, both parties met, only for the last hope to be shattered. Mr Bevin (the dockers’ leader) in addressing the press, said : “W.s have been in this building for two days and tin- latest statement to us is that the employers have no power to concede the second shilling. There is some authority outside the shipping and transport industry which, apparently, they must consult. Some [lower is in the background which is making this just claim the butt of a political and economic policy.” Mi Beviu added that it is significant, it commenting on the official cost of living figures, that these figures have riser to the exact point whereat they stood last year when the dockers lost two shillings of their wages. Mr Allen, Chairman of the Employers Committee, denies that there is any pi wor whom the employers must consult. Food experts prognosticate a revival of national rationing.